DIT OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT SCHEME 2012-2015

DIT’s Official Languages Act Scheme 2012-2015 aims to increase and develop the range and standard of services available in Irish to the public from DIT. Schools, Departments and Services across the Institute have agreed commitments with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht regarding the development of service provision through the medium of Irish over the next 3 years.

The key commitments in DIT’s scheme relate to developing Irish language academic programmes as well as the provision of training in Irish language competency and language awareness for DIT staff in order to begin the process of service provision through Irish between now and 2015. There will be an increase in Irish language content in DIT publications, promotional materials, application forms, information leaflets and media.

DIT’s website and interactive on-line services will include more Irish language content; the Institute will provide customer service through Irish at key public areas and the Irish language will be promoted on DIT’s Grangegorman site and in student life across the Institute over the next 3 years.

There are currently over 200 students studying on a variety of Irish language programmes in DIT ranging from the part-time MA in Applied Irish to the full-time BA degree programmes in Journalism with Irish and Film & Broadcasting with Irish provided by DIT’s School of Languages and School of Media. A wide range of Irish language modules are also available from the School of Hospitality Management and Tourism; the School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology; the Conservatory of Music and Drama and the School of Social Sciences and Law.

A dedicated Irish language office, Oifig na Gaeilge, was established in DIT in 2006 to oversee the development of the Irish language across the Institute and is charged with facilitating the implementation of DIT’s Official Languages Act Scheme and the provisions of the Act. Oifig na Gaeilge organises many opportunities for staff and students to learn Irish and to improve and use the language and runs an Irish language accommodation scholarship scheme (Scéim Cónaithe Gaeilge) for DIT students with Irish to live together through the medium of Irish. The Institute also has a vibrant Irish language student society, an Cumann Gaelach who organise Gaeilge events for students during the academic year.

DIT’s first Official Languages Act Scheme will certainly add to the current provision of Irish language services available from the Institute. The Scheme will remain in effect for a period of 3 years from the 22nd May 2012 or until a new scheme has been confirmed by the Minister pursuant to Section 15 of the Act, whichever is the earlier. Information on services being provided through Irish to the public over the next 3 years will be updated regularly on www.dit.ie/gaeilge.

DIT’s Official Languages Act Scheme can be viewed here and below and and further information is available from Oifig na Gaeilge at 01 4027043 / gaeilge@dit.ie.